Is It Safe to Reuse Plastic Bags? Ziploc Settles the Debate

Whether you use them to store leftovers, freeze portions of broth or simplify meal prep, plastic bags are one of the kitchen’s most versatile products. But there is no denying the serious issues of overusing and improperly disposing of plastics. More Americans than ever believe plastic pollution is a serious problem, and while there are a number of good-quality plastic-free storage options, many of us rely on our zip-top plastic bags as an affordable, readily available option in the kitchen.

I use zip-top plastic bags to seal specialty grains and whole nuts before storing them in the freezer to extend their shelf lives. The bags also help organize rarely used kitchen utensils and gadgets like cookie cutters or popsicle molds, and they keep my pie weights (I reuse dried beans) in one place. Perhaps you, too, use zip-top plastic bags throughout your kitchen to portion snacks for your kids’ lunches or to store that big batch of homemade maple granola. Yet despite our best efforts, sometimes we dispose of those plastic bags when there is plenty of life left in them. 

One easy solution to cut back on plastic waste is to simply reuse your existing plastic bags. But is it actually safe to use zip-top plastic bags more than once, and if so, what’s the best way to properly clean them to extend their life? We put these questions and more to the folks at Ziploc, and the good news is that, yes, you can absolutely reuse their plastic bags.

“Because Ziploc brand bags are made with high-quality materials that are strong enough to be used again, our bags can be reused several times,” a spokesperson told us.

How to Clean a Plastic Bag

While it’s safe to reuse plastic bags, you’ll want to clean them between uses for sanitary purposes and to reduce any lingering odors. Cleaning a zip-top bag is as simple as adding warm water and dish soap, sealing the zipper and gently swishing the soapy water around inside, the Ziploc representative said. 

You will want to be careful to not be too aggressive with this process. Avoid turning the bag inside out, as this could damage the seams. Breaking the seams would, of course, make the bag less effective and will shorten its life. 

“Rinse thoroughly, shake out excess water and prop the bag open to dry completely before reusing,” Ziploc told us. You don’t need to buy anything extra to dry your bags; simply use your dish rack or even chopsticks to keep the bags open and allow for some air flow. I like to use magnetic bag clips and dry them on the side of my refrigerator.

How to Extend the Life of a Plastic Bag

Properly cleaning and drying your plastic bags is one of the best ways to extend their life. Be sure to handle the bags carefully to avoid tears or punctures. Depending on what you store inside the bags, you can reuse them several times. However, there are some times you’ll want to dispose of a plastic bag after one use.

“We do not recommend reusing any bags that have held raw meat, fish, eggs or potentially allergy-triggering foods, etc., as that may become a food safety issue,” the Ziploc spokesperson said. They added that once the bag goes into the freezer, there should be no impact on the life of that bag. 

Aside from ditching bags used for raw meats and common food allergens, very acidic ingredients like tomato sauce can cause stains and shorten the life of any plastic product, including bags.

Plastic Bag Alternatives

If you are ready to say goodbye to plastic bags altogether, there are quite a few affordable options. Silicone pouches and bags have gained popularity in recent years. Ziploc Endurable is a line of silicone pouches and containers that are designed to go from freezer to oven (up to 425°F) to table. You can even clean them in the dishwasher. Other similar reusable bag options include (re)zip, Stasher and Ello. You can also use Bee’s Wrap, which is not only reusable but also compostable.

All of these products are great alternatives to plastic bags, but they do come with a higher price tag. Consider other washable storage vessels like Mason jars or glass storage containers. Mason jars and many glass storage containers are safe in the freezer, but you should always be careful with strong fluctuations in temperature with these types of containers, as they could break. 

Whatever product you use for storage, whether it’s a common plastic bag or a speciality silicone container, it’s always important to properly dispose of these materials. For starters, check your state’s waste and recycling regulations and note that you will typically need to recycle plastic bags separately from your curbside blue box. RecycleNation also has a lot of information about disposing of plastic bags.

Many grocery stores will accept all sorts of plastic recycling, including shopping bags and zip-top bags. Be sure to wash and dry them thoroughly before bringing them to the store to recycle. I personally like to look for signs labeled NexTrex, which collects recyclable materials like plastic bags and turns them into decking. Just think, that plastic bag used to store frozen fruit for smoothies can skip the landfill and instead could be used as material for your back deck.